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Some of Our Features

Families of a person with disabilities or handi­

caps are looking for different solutions to help them

live a better life. Many of these families are turning to

therapeutic horseback riding for a solution. Thera­

peutic horseback riding centers are mostly located in

the country away from all other distractions. These

centers are created to help people with disabilities

and handicaps work on their weaknesses. In addi­

tion, these centers help the riders strengthen areas of

their body affected by their disabilities by working

with trained instructors. Many skills are worked on

in these horseback­riding classes.

These classes have to do with the rider’s

physical skills. In the classes obstacles are set up to

help strengthen motor skills. The rider might have to

ride to a barrel and take a stick out of it. This activity

requires the rider to use his/her motor skills. Many of

the classes help the riders strengthen their muscles

and get the riders moving. Riding a horse requires the

rider to use leg, back, upper body and many other

muscles. Some areas that are improved in the classes

are balance, motor skills, muscle strength and also

social skills. Social skills are worked on by having

the rider give the horse verbal commands and by talk­

ing to the instructor about how he or she feels. Emo­

tional skills are also worked on. These skills are

worked on by having the riders out in nature and out

in a peaceful environment. By working on these skills,

the riders gain self­confidence and independence.

Because of therapeutic horseback riding,

many people who are disabled are able to feel im­

portant. Therapeutic horseback riding teaches people

with disabilities to look past their weaknesses and

focus on their strengths. Therefore, therapeutic horse­

back riding should be an option to consider for people

with handicaps and disabilities.

Therapeutic Riding

Justin Lucia, Senior

Anyone who drives a newer car is much

safer, as technology and new design have helped

make cars safer in the last thirty years. The chances

of a person getting in an accident are now less likely

to happen. Even if a person does encounter an acci­

dent, they will most likely come out injury free.

In an event of a car crash, new crumple zones

would save a person. All cars are now constructed

differently. The front and back of a car is like an ac­

cordion, and when a crash occurs, the car is demol­

ished. The person who was in the car remains un­

harmed. Air bags and seatbelts have also helped

make cars safer. Both attempt to keep a person in

the car and are very successful at doing so. Small

things like brighter brake lights and stronger glass also

help keep a person safer while driving. New tech­

nology has also helped bring about greater safety in

cars.

New softer tires are wider and give a car

better control. Cars today sit lower and handle much

better. In addition, the suspension of a car is now

independent. This means that there is a separate shock

for each tire, which results in better handling and a

smoother ride. Some cars also have sensing technol­

ogy. Can you remember a time when you fell asleep

and almost crashed? That will not happen in newer

cars. Now there is sensing cameras that alert you

when your car is going off course.

Sure a newer car is going to cost more. How­

ever, all the time and research put into these cars has

to result in a price increase. Then again what is inex­

pensive today? Hopefully after reading this you’ll see

how much safer a new car is. After all, a few extra

dollars is a small expense if it saves your life or a

loved one’s life.

Safer Cars of Today

Jake Ternoois, Senior

Everyone has his or her choice of what to

like and what not to like and what to think and what

not to think. Many people in our school have formed

stereotypes on each other as if being different was

the biggest sin in the world. Think about this: if ev­

eryone were the same, how would it affect you? If

everyone would be a little more open minded about

whom our peers are, it would be a lot easier to wake

up every morning and go to school. Let’s face it,

whether we want to go to school or not doesn’t de­

pend on the school work itself, it’s based upon how

people classify you and who you are to the school. I

don’t care who you are, everybody is bothered by

what people think of him or her, and it gets under

everyone’s skin.

Everyday in school students face many chal­

lenges to make it through the day; we didn’t do home­

work the night before, there’s a huge test today, I left

my lunch money on the counter, or I don’t want to

go home, but I don’t want to be here (school). On

top of everything else on our minds, we have other

kids standing in our way. There’s always that person

that bothers you everyday. What would happen if

that person were to stop? Would you have a differ­

ent outlook on at least one thing? Maybe your Glo­

bal class would be a little easier to stand, or maybe

in gym class you won’t have quite as many dodge

balls thrown at your face. If everyone were to rec­

ognize that bringing people down around us affects

not only that person but also everyone around us

watching, going to school everyday would be…do­

able. Do you ever wonder what would happen if all

the kids liked each other? Maybe we could all go

against authority and do something horrible! Like…

chew gum in the computer lab without getting in

trouble! (Just kidding)

I’m not asking for “world peace”; it’s just

obvious that with all the stereotypes in our school

and with all the tension between people that it’s un­

bearable. If there’s someone you just can’t stand,

take it outside or get over it.

“I Do What I Want…”

Tiffany Graham, Sophomore

For many people music plays a constant role

in their everyday lives. Its rhythms and melodies are

most often playing in the background of most activi­

ties. However, people are always aware of the melo­

dies and rhythms; what people are unaware of are

the messages that are sent in a stealthy manner. Many

teens often subconsciously internalize these messages

and carry them over into their emotions.

When a person is feeling happy, it’s most likely

that they will listen to music that maintains the feeling

of happiness. The same is true for a person who is

feeling unhappy. However, when an unhappy person

listens to music that coincides with their emotional

state, they will probably become even unhappier. For

example, when a suicidal person listens to music with

a depressing theme, their suicidal thoughts are ampli­

fied. This is not true for all suicidal people; however,

very impressionable young people are more likely to

take what is being said more literally. Genres such as

Rock N’ Roll and Gangsta­Rap are known for their

angry themes and messages. These genres are more

likely to influence a person’s emotions. Classical and

Country music send very neutral messages, and there­

fore, don’t have as great of an impact on emotions.

Intensifying emotions can also carry over into actions.

Gangsta­Rap often glorifies committing vio­

lent crimes and can often influence an impressionable

teen to act in the same way as the rapper. This may

be because the teens can relate to where the artist

comes from. If a teen is dealing with pressure to com­

mit a violent crime that is described in a song, then

After watching the renowned television show

CSI

, one may think they know everything there is to

know about forensic science when in reality there is

more than meets the eye. Although forensic science

has been aiding police work for a long time, it is only

in the last two decades that it gained any real reputa­

tion. With better technologies being adopted by po­

lice departments worldwide, forensic evidence stands

a better chance of entering formal investigations. Da­

tabases for cases involving DNA and ballistics are

just a few examples of the increasing technology. But

while these technologies have helped emphasize the

significance of forensic science, they have also played

a dominant role in discrediting forensic evidence. For

example, finger printing, which is the oldest form of

forensic evidence, is widely being considered part of

junk science that should be kept out of the court.

Similarly, no case using DNA matching as primary

evidence has ever made it to the Supreme Court in

the United States.

Therefore, it is important to note that it takes

a variety of good, scientific based evidence to con­

vict a criminal, not just one piece of forensics.

Forensic Science:

‘Behind the Scenes’

Michael Matthys, Senior

Kendra Shelters, Junior

the teen may feel that whatever path the artist chose

to sing about is the right one to follow. Music can

also influence a person who is suicidal to go through

with their thoughts. Since music impacts emotions, it

can influence a depressed and suicidal person to carry

out their deranged thoughts. Many musicians, pri­

marily rappers, refer to women in derogatory ways.

This may influence a young child to believe that abu­

sive names and comments used in the songs are okay

to use in everyday situations. Over all, a child or teen

may grow up with a negative attitude toward women.

Music’s surreptitious influence on people has

underlying effects, such as a negative attitude toward

women. The glorification of violent crimes in some

music may cause youth to believe those actions are

legitimate and justifiable, as well. However, when lis­

tening to lyrics with potentially harmful messages, it

is important to understand that most artists do not

fully mean what they’re saying.

Music and You

Animal Abandonment is the shocking and dis­

turbing truth of what happens to animals every single

day. There are multiple reasons why people aban­

don their animals. However, animal abandonment can

be avoided if people carefully considered the respon­

sibility of owning a pet. Before you decide to pur­

chase a pet, you should ask yourself these three ques­

tions:

Animal Abandonment:

The Shocking

Disturbing Truth

Sierra Gonzalez, Senior

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